Construction is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. Irrespective of the world's economic downfall or depression, the need for new infrastructure, residential and commercial buildings stay the same. However, only foolproof and collaborative planning can ensure the success of construction projects in such a scenario.
What is collaborative planning in construction?
It is quite important to know what collaborative planning is to implement it successfully in construction projects. A construction project involves several stakeholders. Collaborative planning means that all these stakeholders work together to achieve the common goals and lead the project towards successful completion. It comprises of three core elements:
- People
- Process
- Tools
This article will help you explore how you can ensure collaborative planning in the construction projects.
Construction projects involve several onsite and offsite activities in addition to managing the material orders, budget, and claim or dispute issues. All of this requires proper planning, execution, and management skills to achieve the end goal of success. Moreover, a single person cannot handle everything; therefore, team support is required in this regard.
Below mentioned are some of the tried and tested tips to boost collaborative planning in the construction projects.
- Plan from Early Stages
The key point of boosting collaborative planning in the construction projects is to plan from the early stages. It also includes determining all the stakeholders, for example, the owners, architects, designers, builders, engineers, contractors, and subcontractors.
To bring all these parties on the same page and ensure smooth communication, experts are also required. Therefore, most of the project owners hire construction project management companies and ensure the uncompromised success of their project.
- Reduce Admin Work
Another important aspect of the construction projects is recording progress and reporting it manually. All of this only increases the admin work while it is only useable until the project's particular activity is completed. Therefore, reducing the admin work and digitalizing it is another important tip to boost collaborative planning. You can:
- Automate reporting process
- Use digital tools to measure progress
- Use standard system and procedures
- Ensure smooth communication
- Change Delivery Methods
Another key factor in boosting the collaborative planning of the constriction projects is to change the delivery methods. The world is making progress with every passing second, and the construction industry cannot make progress without using it. The best way of doing so is to digitalize the processes. You can use the methods like:
- Design-Bid-Build (DBB) or Design-Award-Build (DAB)
- Design-Build (DB) or Design-Construct (DC)
- Integrated Project Delivery (IPD)
- Public-private partnership (PPP)
- Promote Diversity
Diversity is the new normal in this advanced era. There was a time when people only promoted uniformity and did not like much change. They had the mindset that such a strategy will help their community in growth and development.
However, that mindset is not acceptable anymore as it is accounted as a discrimination strategy. So, another important tip to boost collaborative planning in the construction projects is to promote diversity among the workforce and utilize their skills to succeed.
- Assign Roles and Responsibilities
The workforce, irrespective of the fact that it belongs to the higher management or lower working positions, can only perform better if they are aware of their responsibilities. Another important tip to boost collaborative planning in construction is assigning the roles and responsibilities to all the workforce. It should be done transparently, so everyone is aware of it.
- Ensure Accountability
No field of work or department can give its best performance without accountability. So, accountability is the key to improving the work atmosphere as well as collaboration among the workers. All of this can be made even more effective by utilizing feedback to implement constructive accountability.
It will also positively impact collaborative planning in the project. If you are reluctant about its implication, you can rely on the expert support. You can hire construction quantum experts to boost the accountability process and automate projects' progress.
- Utilize Right Tools and Equipment
Another key aspect of boosting collaborative planning in construction projects is to utilize the right tools and equipment. Construction is one of the most advanced industries globally, which is not limited to manual labor anymore. The construction of multistory, high rise buildings, and skyscrapers now require the use of modern equipment to make it successful.
Laying the foundation of collaborative planning is one thing, and implementing is another. It can only be done by making most of the three collaborative planning elements, i.e., people, processes, and tools. If you are doubtful about your expertise, do not stake your project's progress but involve the experts to enjoy unlimited benefits.
